Eye on Agriculture

Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute has organized a two-day workshop that will teach farmers how to extend their growing and sales seasons.

"Extending the Season, Hoop Houses and Community Supported Agriculture" will meet Nov. 13-14, at Lattin Farms, 1955 McLean Way, in Fallon. Cost is $50 for both days or $35 for one day, with a $10 late fee for registration after Friday. Lunch is included.

The workshop will feature sessions on how to extend the growing and sales season beyond the traditional summer harvest months, in response to increased consumer demand for local food. Featured speaker Daniel Carmona, veteran farmer and educator from New Mexico, will bring experience, knowledge, and a regional perspective to the workshop. Nevada and New Mexico share similar growing conditions and economic climates for small farm agriculture.

Hoop houses and community supported agriculture techniques are increasingly popular, and farmers are looking for more training on these innovative methods. Participants will learn how to recruit and retain customers, share type and pricing, production and plant varieties, recordkeeping and more. They will also learn about the different types of hoop houses, best crop varieties to plant, crop rotation, pest management and more.

The WNC Specialty Crop Institute is an innovative education program for current and future small-scale farmers, as well as students and professionals. Participants learn alternative farming methods to diversify from low-value crops to high-value, direct-marketed specialty crops that can increase profitability. Workshops combine classroom and on-farm learning experiences.

To register, contact Ginny Dugan, (775) 423-5186, or visit www.wnc.edu/sci. For information regarding the Specialty Crop Institute and future workshops, contact Project Director Ann Louhela at (775) 351-2551.

The Northern Nevada Dairymen has launched the new version of its Web site, www.nevadamilk.com. The site highlights the 2007-09 "power behind the play" advertising and public relations campaign, highlighting TV, radio and billboard executions. In addition, there are key sections featuring an interactive events calendar, milk studies cited, and a what's new category, offering the most current news from the Northern Nevada Dairymen.